shengtang's Profile
Singapore style Bak Kut Teh
Sorry. It's been a while since I checked this forum. But yes, Outram park! http://ieatishootipost.sg/2007/06/outram-park-ya-hua-bak-kut-teh-short.html
That's in my opinions anyway.
I am not sure why, but I think I missed Santosa altogether even when I lived in NYC. My interests for Singaporean food is kind of new. Once I was initiated, I went back 3 times already .... :-)
Recommendations for Sunset Park Chinatown
I just came back and hopefully nobody minds if I am piggy backing on this topic to do a trip report :-) .
Of course I went to Sunset Park. Te neighborhood is much busier than I could remember. Of course, the only time I went there was a snowing afternoon ... Unfortunately I could not find the Yunnnan restaurant, and before I could quench my hunger any longer, I walked into a small Lanzhou lamien place.
This place had a blue awning and I think I saw it somewhere on the web (maybe serious eats). There are a lot of condiments, even fish sauce and sriracha, unorthodox but nothing wrong with it. I myself enjoyed the garlic sauce very much. I ordered beef tendon noodle plus beef. I'd like the tendon to be more "lam" (I am judging it from a more Cantonese angle I guess). I wonder if the noodle was really hand-pulled - it's too perfectly shaped and frankly, it's doesn't have enough "bite". The soup was not orthodox I believe, since the original Lanzhou lamien should have clear white soup. But it taste OK. Overall, it's a decent bowl of noodle I would eat if I am in the neighborhood.
Then back to Flushing. Things changed in Flushing - it's the "CitiField" instead of Shea stadium now, and there is this new mall - Queen's Crossing - where Ajisan Ramen taste as mediocre as it does everywhere else :-) . I do like the bakery Paris Paguette. I like almost all Korean bakeries. Are we sure Korean didn't invent croissant?
I had the cumin lamb burger at the Xian famous food. It's not bad but I do not understand the fuss. This taste is probably special for Chinese, but in New York, it's more or less just another variation of the central/south Asia flavors you can get in most halal stands. The other "burger", with pork, was the real good eat to me! I also had a Gua Bao at the neighboring Taiwanese stall. I am from Taiwan, and this was the first time in 15 years I had Gua Bao, or even kong Ba (the pork in the Gua Bao). Tears might have literally come out of my eyes. :-)
The Lanzhou noodle here (in Flushing mall) was good, specifically, the noodle. The noodle was more chewy than the ones in Brooklyn. Personally I prefer Taiwanese beef noodle (surprise!) but this noodle is really good. It just needs a richer broth (for me). of course, the clear broth was the authentic version.
Penang was replaced by Naxiang XLB. I was upset for a second, until I gave in and tried the XLB there on Sunday morning. Hands down, the best meal in this entire trip. Sadly for me, I had not have XLB for some time and my technique was rusty. My first bite caused the dumpling shooting hot soup at my tongue like a pissing shrimp. I still have the numb spot now. Ah... sweet injury. I didn't remember how it was in DTF or the Naxiang in Shanghai or even Joe's shanghai two blocks down, I just remembered this was the best authentic Chinese food I had for a long long time.
Bak Kut Teh - thanks to Lau's recommendation - Santosa did serve me a great bowl, even it's still Malaysia style. The reason I wanted a Singapore style Bak Kut Teh was that Malaysian style uses a lot of herbs and it might overpower the flavor of the pork. Case in point, Santosa's soup was very tasty but the intestine had almost no taste. Also, it's easier to get the Malaysian style cooked at home, just buy a packet of pre-mix. Singapore style is almost impossible to cook at home. This is just my humble opinion of course.
All in all, great trip (food wise that is) . I envy you NYC guys ...
Singapore style Bak Kut Teh
Thanks! From the yelp picture, is this place new? By "new" I meant post 2006, the year I moved out of NYC (a sad year). I remember this was a Chinese restaurant next to the 359 beef noodle ...
anyway, will definitely try it.
Ha... I am going to be in SIN for, well, only one day to catch a flight back after touring Yunna and southeast Asia. Taking advantage of the layover I will rush into town for last minute chow hunt. Probably will not be in time (2 PM) for Ng Ah Sio but maybe outram park :-) .
Singapore style Bak Kut Teh
Anybody knows where to find singapore style Bak Kut Teh in NY?
Appetite is a strange thing. I was asking for help on a different topic, I mentioned Elmhurst myself, someone pointed out it's Pan Asian, and I though of Good Taste, and then I thought of Bak Kut Teh, and I couldn't get Bak Kut Teh out of my mind ....
I have had Bak Kut Teh in US several times, none of them impressed me. To be fair, Bak Kut Teh is not an easy dish for restaurateurs in America - it requires a dedicated efforts and our restaurants here are all on missions to deliver for the entire ethnic eating genre. In Singapore/Malaysia, Bak Kut Teh is sold by vendors doing nothing but Bak Kut Teh (and by products maybe, but never Roti and Laksa too!) I digressed of course.
In my experiences too, that all the bak kut teh here are of the Malaysian style (Hokkien). I really really crave for some Singapore style (Teochow) BKT. I wonder if it is even possible to find?
For those who do not know what Bak Kut Teh is, obviously you can't help me :-) , but here is some information for your considerations:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bak_kut_teh
Recommendations for Sunset Park Chinatown
I used to joke about this: Italian and Chinese always live close. Look at Manhattan and even San Francisco ... my theory is that it makes pork logistics easier :-) .
But now, you guys opened up a big box of worms, I might have to go to Bensonhurst as well, even longer subway rides!
I agree that Elmhurst is far more Pan Asian. I got my Malaysian fix there all the time.
Best street food area in Bangkok?
OK, this turned out to be a question for myself as well. I know I suggested Yaowarat for Missy ...
However; the other day I was watching a travel show from Taiwan and the host mentioned a night market called "cho-chai-chi" (while the caption was "chochi"). The host obviously did not Thai so me reciting it second-handly would just confuse the taxi driver (am going to BKK soon). Internet searches on these two "names" of course rendered no result. Anybody can decipher this?
This market sell a fish maw soup that looks very attractive ...
Recommendations for Sunset Park Chinatown
Thanks guys for the very helpful info. I think I would head over for the Yunnan restaurant and maybe picked up a Ban Mi for the returning subway ride. It all comes back now - why I never bothered with Sunset Park - it's two subway rides! And I had to go out to the city for N train?
But a promise (to myself) is a promise, I would definitely make the trip and even if I get disappointed, it's a still mission accomplished.
When I made the XLB (Shanghai soup dumplings) "metaphor" I only meant to describe my own motivations. XLB as a menu item is not a requirement of course.
Just curious though? How do you guys think it compares to Elmhurst?
Recommendations for Sunset Park Chinatown
I lived in Flushing before, and that might not be a good thing - it's the reason why I never went out to the "Eighth Avenue", well, once and I really do not remember why, just definitely not for Chinese food there. Hey, I lived in Flushing :-) .
I will be back to NYC this weekend and a sudden urge to try something in the Brooklyn Chinatown strangely rose. I'd love to hear some recommendations. I really do not have a narrowed down category, since I am still going to stay in Flushing so aiming for categories might not be the best strategy to give Sunset Park a "chance". I'd like to have the best XLB in Sunset Park, than the best XLB in NYC ... the goal is to really get me to explore the neighborhood so, at least psychologically I know I am not missing out.
Thanks in advance.
HCMC or Hanoi
Hi,
I almost feel ashamed to admit this - but I have never been to Vietnam. On an upcoming trip I would be lucky enough to have an opportunity to fill the void. Problem is, still only enough time for one city. So, Saigon or Hanoi? That is the question.
I would welcome you to comment on all aspects - but this being a chowhound board, I am expecting more to concentrate on the food. A little background - I prefer, much prefer street food. Places like Yaowarat are heaven to me. I am hoping for the same great beer-drowning, flames at your face stir fry experience. :-)
Thanks in advance!
J.S. Chen's, Plano. Comments on Dim Sum Please
It being sim sum, I can't care less about the service, the crowd or anything else, but I can't ignore the quality of food itself.
I don't think I am a picky eater, but I got mad almost every single time I eat out in DFW for Chinese food. If I was dining with non Chinese friends I worried about our culinary "images" being misrepresented. If I was eating by myself I wondered why I was paying 4 times more for things I could do better at home. Unfortunately J.S. Chen is another place that got me mad.
Well of course I can't make dim sum at home, and the day I went I was a Chinese friend, so J.S. Chen falls into its own "making me mad" category: I wish I ate in Kirim Court.
Almost all meat, from shrimp to pork was not in good quality, they tasted borderline spoiled. Har Gaw requires very good quality fresh water shrimp which you can't overcome by "cooking". This place simply does not buy good quality shrimp in my opinions. Turnip cakes were too mushy at least for my taste.
Kirim Court is still the best place in DFW, although it's still only so so, it has not made me mad (no, waiting for a long time does not make me mad, that's part of dim sum ambiance). Sad commentary I know, but we are not in Hong Kong or Vancouver ...
Taipei Layover - 23 hours
lost squirrel, have you been Shilin by now? I'd love to hear your story - somehow the layover eating trip is always exciting to me!
Singapore layovers - reports
------------------------------------------------------------
Chwee Kueh at last! While the rice cakes didn’t have the luxurious texture I remember from my first chwee kueh experience (which may be very well due to fact that those had been my first steamed rice cake of this sort, ever, and I’ve since been exposed to various bahn beo and bahn khot), the topping was everything I’d remembered. I don’t think I can live without it – time to start experimenting with caramelized shallots and pickled radish… maybe I can talk one of the Vietnamese restaurants near me into selling me some plain bahn beo. Or maybe I should try to learn to make it myself. I’m also thinking the shallot/pickle mixture would be great on steamed fish, or mixed into dan dan noodles. S1.5 for 6.
------------------------------------------------------------
Like Tsai Tao Kueh, these things can't be easier. Honestly, I wouldn't travel thousands of miles to look for it. These are the things you can easily get "from the scratch" ingredients even in US and make pretty decent products following only online recipes. Now Bak Kut Teh or Chicken rice, that is a different ball game. :-)
Taipei Layover - 23 hours
13 hours? Now we are talking about a different ball game! The arrival is 7:30 PM and after the immigration, etc, Yeah ... DTF is entirely beyond possibility for you. :-( . So is Keelung. Since now it's more of a "one shot only" situation, I would (myself) just hit a night market in Taipei. "Dou Jiang" places are the great - because they almost all open 24 hours, not just the one shown above. but from a choice standpoint (again, one shot for the most choices), night market beats it. Plus, it's very likely you will find a Dou Jiang place in/around the night market anyway.
Taipei Layover - 23 hours
First of all, DTF is not the same in Taipei. It is where it all started.
I really wonder why Shi Lin enjoys such a fame? Because of the "Bizarre Food" episode? Anyway, you can go to wikipedia and there is a list of night markets in Taiwan. Everyone of them is pretty good. I am not sure if 23 hours is enough logistically - but I would consider Keelung temple night market a pretty good experience. Or even the temple market in Sinchu (much closer than Taipei from the airport). Shi Da night market (in Taipei) is pretty interesting too. There should be taxi in Tapei all 24 hours. btw, I suggest you try a breakfast place. Among Chinese, this is definitely the most famous Taiwanese specialty (Yong He doe Jiang). One of the many choices: http://blog.xuite.net/karlcpc/bcc/6202928
Bangkok Airport
Second that! I think I know the spot you talked about. I can't believe I never had enough curiosity to go in there. I used to think that was a grocery store!
Bangkok Airport
I think you ask about eating in the airport itself?
There are "only" 10 or so options on the second floor, just walk around. S&P, Mr. Lee, Black Canyon (serving food as well), etc. I wonder how many Bak Mee Mu Deng they sell a day during the protest ... :-)
Taipei
The quintessential Taiwanese breakfast place is definitely Yonghe city, which is across river from kung Guang area. The typical food there ... pancakes with "you-tiaw", beef and scallion cakes, all kinds of "bao", and soy milk (salty version is better IMHO).
Taipei
There are many night market. Shi-lin is only one of them. I recommend Shi-Da (meaning the Teacher's College) night market and the near by Kong-Guan area. For one thing, if it matters, there are more expats in this area so the vendors might be more able to deal with you :-) .
The food you mentioned is everywhere in Taiwan and they are so common I don't remember anybody stood out to be the most popular.
BTW if you don't eat pork - I gather you are kosher? oh... I am not sure how you can do street food then? Taiwanese would use pork lard to stir fry vegetables ... but I am confused ... prawn is OK?
Curry Puffs in Singapore
Nope, it's not too far :-) . I was a tourist and I went there. But I have been a repeated visitor and the street "scenery" between the Merlion and Chinatown gets boring quickly. I like exploring Ang Mo Kio, Novena and other "suburban" areas. Food would be a perfect excuse.
Bangkok Visit - please critique my (long!) list
Oh.... oh.... this is such a big tease!!! :-D
Bangkok Visit - please critique my (long!) list
Hey, I think I am the one who mentioned khao pad first . :-)
About the rice used for khao pad - in Chinese restaurant cooking we like to use "over night leftover" rice but that is the point: Thai are blessed with the fabulous jasmine rice that is naturally dryer. There is a reason Japanese don't do good fried rice, and Thai don't do good sushi. Honestly I never asked if the rice was left cooled enough before it went into the stir fry, but I don't argue with the result. I never had a plate of mushy khao pad in Thailand. Each one single grain was "dry body" enough. :-)
Bangkok Visit - please critique my (long!) list
I envy you! Bangkok, in addition to all the cultures and fun, is definitely a top food destination. For a foodie to go thee for the first time is like loosing virginity :-D . It will still be very good, but not as good the next time.
I am a little biased of course, but where ever you go - make sure you have a simple Kao Pad, eat it with Nam Pla (fish sauce) as condiment . I owned a restaurant before, I can tell you that any roadside stands in Bangkok can beat me in the fried rice department easily. I'd say the same applies to most of my former competitors in N. America.
Penang - Gaik Ten Eating House - Strangest Seating Arrangement Ever
I am not sure if this was the old Hokkien way, but my late uncle also like to "squat" when eat. Well, at least one leg would be on the bench. People make fund of Ah-Ben but food taste good when eaten Ah-Ben style ... :-)
Bangkok Visit - please critique my (long!) list
Geoff,
Is this the first time in Bangkok for you? You do realize there are still Grand Palace and Weekend market and Lumpini stadium and cabaret shows and ... Unless you do nothing else but eat - you can't possibly cover even one third of this list. I understand you are probably asking helps to narrow the list down but the very fact you have made the list - implies that you really want to hit all the spots. You ambitious foodie you ...
My suggestion is that you want to make sure to go to Yaowarat and then, just let the sightseeing take your places. I also think the most important thing is to just find out how Thai food is different in Thailand, and get "ruined" for the state side $10 + rice noodle in peanut sauce - for that, even khao san road is good enough (at least price wise). Tears come to my eyes when drinking beer Chang sold at 8.99 6 pack.
I also notice you have a slightly smaller list for Phuket too and you have only 3 days - man, you gotta to give yourself sometime to lie on the beach too. Forget about picking restaurants, I suggest warm beer and deep fried tiny crabs while you struggle to read a book (falling asleep in the sun is likely to happen).
Bangkok Visit - please critique my (long!) list
I happened to like this place a lot :-) ! I am Chinese and I grew up in SE Asia so this might be the difference. While I resent the "pretentious" dining scenes here in the states I might have subconsciously adored "a place to be seen in" if it's back in Asia? Well, I have a theory :
The place is definitely cute and the food is OK and Issan food (ironically aside from Somtom which I personally don't like) is impossible to be bad anyway. Most "nice places" in Asia are not so intimidating to me. Firstly, it's probably the price. Secondly, the food is the kind I prefer. Lastly and most importantly, even the nice/trendy place in Asia are not "pretentious". So when I sit in a French Cambodian fusion in Boston, I would wonder what the fuss is. I would feel I am paying through my nose because they serve a glass of wine in the dark? I would not complain "Som Tam Nua" even when I don't like somtom that much - a handful of sticky rice down with larb mu and Singha would be good enough in this cozy environment. I don't know, maybe my 2 cents of worth on the restaurant design ...
Embarking on a Food Tour of Southeast Asia
and again, the seafood/Thai place by the river is www.khinlomchomsaphan.com - the bridge is Rama 8 . :-)
Baan Khanita and Thanying in Bangkok
Aha - now I see them I know what you talked about. Still never went in there. I read Chinese (I am Chinese) btw. The last pic is Sin Kwang Meng? Will ask my girlfriend when I go home (she is Thai).
Embarking on a Food Tour of Southeast Asia
And it's baan kanitha, not Baan Katina - I almost feel guilty now for my bad spellings.
